Appointments

The online form is the quickest and simplest way for most of our patients to access the clinical team for assistance.

Our phone lines remain open for anyone with accessibility needs whom might find difficulty completing this form. For those without accessibility needs, our receptionist may direct callers to complete this online form.

Please do not use this form for any medical emergency. If you you a seriously unwell and feel it is an emergency, dial 999. If you are unwell and feel you cannot wait for a response during our opening hours, please call NHS 111.

The online form is the quickest and simplest way for most of our patients to access the clinical team for assistance.

Our phone lines remain open for anyone with accessibility needs whom might find difficulty completing this form. For those without accessibility needs, our receptionist may direct callers to complete this online form.

Please do not use this form for any medical emergency. If you you a seriously unwell and feel it is an emergency, dial 999. If you are unwell and feel you cannot wait for a response during our opening hours, please call NHS 111.

If you have been invited for a routine appointment (e.g. smear test or vaccination) and need to change or cancel it, please contact the practice on 0114 240 3159.

Requests for emergency visits take priority at all times. For a home visit please call the practice on 0114 240 3159 before 10am so that the doctors have enough time to arrange their visits in order of priority and avoid unnecessary delays.

Home visits are for people whose illness renders them truly housebound.

Typical examples of home visits are for people who are:

• Terminally ill
• Elderly and infirm
• Where the journey to the surgery would exacerbate their condition, for example a severe disc prolapse

For most other conditions doctors expect patients to be seen in the surgery as the doctors may need equipment for examination, which would not be available at home. When requesting a home visit, it is necessary to leave a contact telephone number.

Please bear in mind that emergency appointments are offered each day.

The doctor can see four or five patients in surgery in the time it takes to do one home visit.

Sick children will be seen as quickly as possible in surgery. It does not harm a child to be brought to the surgery warmly wrapped up unless they are extremely ill. You can telephone the surgery for advice

If you are pregnant and have bleeding contact EPAU on 0114 2268379 between 9.00am and 5.00pm for advice.

It’s important that you provide as much clear information as possible to ensure the GP can assess your clinical needs appropriately without a delay.

Examples Of Not Enough Information:

• I’ve had a breathing issue for a while
• My mental health is playing up
• I want to discus a problem with my arm
• My medication isn’t working

What Information to provide

Provide Readings Where Possible

• Fever- what did the thermometer say.
• BP high – please tell us the number on the monitor
• Include Relevant medical problems / Name the drug you have a question about.

Where is the problem?

• Little finger/toe/lower stomach/elbow/middle of chest etc…
• What does it feel like or what are the symptoms?
• Sharp/dull/like labour/toothache – feeling sick, headache, snotty, sore throat, pain, dizzy, light-headed, breathless, wheezy, cough etc…

Helpful Examples

• I’m asthmatic, I have had a cough for 2 days with a fever and phlegm and I’m breathless.
• I have had back pain for many years, but it has got worse in the past 2 days. My leg feels weak
• I am 12 weeks pregnant and I have had stomach pains for 5 days
• I have suffered from migraines. I have had a headache for 2 months around my forehead and it’s not getting better. I have tried paracetamol.
• I am struggling with my mental health. I feel tearful and sad. I don’t feel suicidal.

If you are Housebound and need a home visit, please ring reception before 10am. A Total Triage request should be for 1 issue only.

Please attend your appointment on time, if you are late you may not be seen. If you are not seen you will not be able to rearrange your appointment until the next working day-except in the event of an medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

These are provided by PCS (Primary Care Services) in a range of settings, primarily at Fairlawns Medical Centre and Burncross Surgery.

These are available Monday to Friday 6.30 am to 9.30 pm and Saturday 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.  

Appointment types include GP, ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner), Physiotherapists and Health Care Assistants.

As a training practice we often have medical students present at the surgery. You may from time to time be asked to speak to one of them prior to your consultation with the doctor as part of their training.

Whilst we appreciate your co-operation you are quite free to say no if you feel uncomfortable.

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many ailments and you may be seen more quickly.

Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants also provide clinics on the management of long term conditions, undertake vaccinations, provide wound care and a range of other services.

Currently we have a prescribing nurse who specialises in diabetes.

Pharmacists

You may be booked in for a review with our pharmacy team depending on the nature of your call.

Physiotherapists

The surgery has access to a range of Physiotherapy Services.  You will be booked an appropriate appointment for this service based on a review or your conditions which include all musculoskeletal related issues.